Meet Community Futures Alberta Southwest’s Board Of Directors
Our volunteer board members have extensive expertise in the region’s main industries and represent the Alberta Southwest entrepreneur community. They’re tasked with establishing Community Futures’ main priorities and reporting on our performance to key stakeholders
Susan Koots
Chairperson
Susan joined the Board of Community Futures Alberta Southwest in June 2018. Susan represents the Town of Fort Macleod.
Raised in rural Southwest Alberta, Susan grew up working in the family business. After receiving her Business Administration diploma from Mount Royal College and a certificate in Local Government Studies from the University of Alberta, Susan moved onto a career in Municipal government.
Her roles included Chief Administrative Officer, elected official, and eventually she settled into a career in tourism where she worked as the Visitor Services Coordinator at Head-Smashed-In–Buffalo-Jump UNESCO World Heritage site.
Susan has also volunteered on many boards in economic development, tourism, and healthcare.
Life partner to Denzil, mom of four grown children, and grandmother to four, Susan enjoys spending time exploring her interests in agriculture, horses, antique cars, travelling, dancing, needlework and entrepreneurship.
Gerry Selk
Vice Chair
Gerry Selk is our Board Vice Chair and Councillor/Deputy Mayor for the Town of Cardston.
2016 he retired as Chief of Operations from the Canada Border Services Agency. He joined Community Futures Alberta Southwest because of his interest in community economic development.
Aside from his professional pursuits, Gerry is a passionate hockey fan. His heart belongs to the Edmonton Oilers, and he never misses a game.
Mark Barber
Treasurer
Mark is the Treasurer on the Board. He has an educational background in agriculture and business administration. He started his career on the farm and moved on to positions in accounting, investment analysis, tourism, business development, agricultural, and commercial banking.
His education and experience proved helpful when he joined Community Futures over ten years ago. He values the organization's work and appreciates the opportunity it gives him to help in the region's economic development.
In addition to his numerous academic qualifications, Mark is also a Certified Level One Ski Instructor, an achievement he considers to be one of his greatest.
Mark and his family live in Pincher Creek, where it is wonderful to rise every morning to view the Porcupine Hills to the north and the Mountains to the west.
Tom Nish
Secretary
Board Criteria
Board members may be recommended for vacant positions by municipal governments and Chambers of Commerce or Economic Development Committees to represent specific geographic areas. Upon receiving a recommendation the Board reviews the candidates and selects one from the list provided that best fits their needs. Current Board members may also recommend new board members for consideration.
The term of office for a Board member is 3 years. Once the term is completed and the Board member wishes to vacate their position, the community is requested to nominate a new person for a new 3 year term.
There is no financial remuneration for sitting on the Board, however, expenses are compensated for any activities approved by the Board of Directors.
There is a comprehensive Conflict of Interest policy and a Privacy policy that have been adopted for the Board of Directors and the Staff of the CFABSW. All Directors and Staff have signed oaths of compliance on these policies.
Interested in becoming a board member or committee volunteer? Please contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions. For further information visit our Board information page. To download a Board application click here
Are You A Prominent Member Of Our Business Community And Looking To Make A Difference?
We’re always looking for great people to help better our business community here in Alberta Southwest and offer new growth opportunities to Alberta Southwest entrepreneurs
